Peru: Experts warn of the risk of losing more than 400 varieties of Andean potatoes in Huánuco

More than 400 varieties of Andean potatoes are in danger of disappearing if they do not receive the necessary attention and recognition, warned Luis Felipe Artica Arroyo, director of the Institute for Development and Environment (IDMA) in Huánuco. This worrying situation affects the high Andean districts and jeopardizes an agricultural wealth that, while a source of regional pride, depends on farmers who still preserve seeds, traditional practices, and ancestral knowledge. However, these producers face serious challenges such as poor road conditions, lack of markets, youth migration, and weak production support.

The IDMA’s warning comes in the context of Mururaymi 2026, the celebration of seeds that will commemorate its 25th edition this year in the town of Quichqui. During the launch, Mayor Eder Feliciano Falcón highlighted that Huánuco is home to more than 500 varieties of potatoes, in addition to a rich production of tubers, grains, vegetables, and fruits. This fact underscores the immense agricultural diversity of the region, but also highlights the magnitude of the threats it faces, as Artica warned.

The disappearance of a variety is not a sudden phenomenon. It occurs when a seed ceases to be cultivated, when a family abandons farming, when young people migrate to the cities, or when farmers cannot find viable markets for their products. According to Falcón, the rural exodus and the lack of interest among younger generations in continuing these practices seriously jeopardize the continuity of this ancestral work.

An agricultural and cultural challenge

The loss is not limited to the productive sphere; it also threatens a valuable cultural heritage passed down from generation to generation. Knowledge about how to choose the right seeds, the most suitable soil types, which varieties are most resistant, which are best suited for each recipe, and the exchange among farmers form part of the cultural heart of these communities. In their speeches at the event, authorities emphasized that seeds are not merely agricultural products, but elements that embody the living memory of the land.

Moisés Contreras, mayor of the Yacus district, emphasized the crucial role of farmers as custodians of food security. He stressed that food security is not built in bureaucratic offices, but rather in the fields. He also warned about the rapid loss of native varieties due to reliance on industrial seeds and climate change that disrupts agricultural cycles. His reflections echoed the alarming diagnosis shared by IDMA: if the economic, cultural, and nutritional value of local seeds is lost, farmers will stop preserving them. While seed fairs showcase a rich array of colors, shapes, and names, true conservation happens daily in the fields.

The market, the infrastructure and the next generations

Falcón also pointed out the difficulties farmers face in meeting the demands of the modern market. The massive requirements contrast sharply with the lack of technological tools, adequate road infrastructure, and sufficient labor in rural areas. Although efforts are underway to improve roads and promote organic production, he admitted that much remains to be done.

Mururaymi emerges in this context as a valuable opportunity to reflect on and plan for the future, rather than as an immediate solution to the problem. Contreras emphasized that this festival should evolve into a comprehensive strategy that connects local markets with experiential tourism initiatives and educational programs. According to his proposal, it is essential to instill in children and young people the value of native seeds as an essential part of strategic heritage, and not merely as relics of the past.

The warning issued by Luis Felipe Artica Arroyo demands a clear and collective commitment from authorities, producers, and consumers. It is time to move beyond celebration and advance toward sustained conservation policies. If Huánuco does not support those who safeguard and cultivate these precious seeds, there is a real risk that one day fairs will only display reminders of varieties that no longer survive in their own fields.